Installing Band Saw Zero Clearance Inserts

[@JimE6243]

Nice way to get it as close as possible Ken. Every time I spend time trying to get it perfect, the first time I make a cut the blade will move side to side a little and there goes the "zero" clearance. The more cuts I make the worse it gets. Of course the thicker the wood the higher the bearings and the more the blade moves side to side. Thanks for the lesson. JimE

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

It will never be perfect on a band saw Jim. That's the nature of the flexible blade and we are pretty much at its mercy. Thanks for tuning in and for chiming in with your thoughts.

[@alanwasserman8176]

Hi Ken, I have always used clear packing tape for when I need a zero clearance on my bandsaw I like your method best I don't have to clean off the residue, thanks Ken

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Clear packing tape can be used. A business card taped to a scroll saw table can also serve as a zero clearance. Whatever works for you Alan is the method that you should use. Thanks for tuning in and for chiming in with your methods.

[@scottmorris4914]

Simple design, would never had thought about it. Great idea.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Glad that you liked it Scott. Thanks for tuning in to the show.

[@jimconnor5879]

That's a really good method to properly install bandsaw inserts. Thanks so much!

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

You're very welcome Jim. I'm glad that you liked it. Thanks for tuning in to the show

[@meawayfromhome]

Hi Kenny, great idea nice simple method thanks for sharing.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Glad that you liked it Philip. Thanks for tuning in.

[@dennishall9260]

Hey Ken! I'll give'r a go! Looks simple and effective! As always, thanks for sharing and top of the weekend to you!

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Good luck with your inserts Dennis. Thanks for tuning in and have yourself a great weekend as well.

[@markduggan3451]

I haven't got a plate like that on my bandsaw, but I'll have a look at what I need to do. Great idea.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

I'm sure there is some modification that you can make to get the benefits of a zero clearance insert Mark. Good luck with it. Thanks for tuning in

[@barry.w.christie]

A nice and simple method of creating a zero clearance insert for a round hole👍 ... I'd say that the insert plates are oversized, they should fit without parts being shaved off 👎 My own (unfinished) 18" bandsaw bandsaw has a square insert hole, so I cut a square insert and just slide it into the hole without the need for a jig 😁

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

So here's the thing Barry. I thought the same as you about the inserts being oversized so I checked the packaging. These were the inserts that were sold to me when I bought the saw. I checked the specifications for the inserts and what saws they were compatible with and my model number is not listed on the packaging. The model above and below is listed but not mine so I am completely of the thought that you and I are right and that the inserts are improperly sized. That being said, they are still selling these inserts as the ones that are recommend for this model. I think it's time to trim them down slightly or make my own shop made inserts. Thanks for tuning in and for chiming in with your thoughts. It's appreciated.

[@barry.w.christie]

@@acutabove_woodworkings Very strange ... well at least they are a really good tight fit 🤣 .... you could of course cut the hole in the table bigger 😁

[@stephengee8488]

I thought you were going to MAKE zero clearance inserts for the band saw! Maybe for another show?

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

I like the way you think Stephen. I will see what I can come up with. Thanks for tuning in and for the show suggestion.

[@harleywood9588]

Great job. What about drilling holes in the zero clearance insert to aid in dust extraction?

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Nothing wrong with that suggestion at all. The important part is that the blades has maximum support surrounding it. Holes in the outer areas of the insert will not affect the zero clearance benefits at all. Thanks for tuning in and for chiming in with the question. It's a great one.

[@jimbates3557]

Great info, thanks!!

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Glad that you found it useful Jim. Thanks for tuning in to the show

[@bobwebberkc]

Kenny you amaze me! I’ve got a question? Are you left handed or right handed? Sounds like a wired question but I have been a faithful watcher for years and every time I think I know you use a different hand. LOL am I paying too close attention?

[@JimLambier]

You're not the first one to notice. I asked him the same question a couple of years ago. He seemed to be able to do any job with either hand although he said he was a leftie. I'm completely jealous of people like Ken who are ambidextrous. If I tried operating any tool with my left hand, I'd end up at the hospital.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Like Jim stated Bob, I consider myself to be left handed only because that is the hand that I primarily write with. That being said, my strongest hand is my right. That being said, I can do pretty much most things in the shop equally well with either hand so depending on the space I am working with, the position of the work and the type of work, my brain automatically chooses which hand will hold the tool and I just go along for the ride. So am I right handed or left handed? Yes. Thanks for tuning in this week.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

It's a curse. LOL.

[@eddiewoolfie3891]

Kenny might be an idea to turn the blade over by hand if the insert is that tight, saves stressing the motor, just an idea 💡 use the bandsaw wheels

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Not a bad suggestion at all Eddie. I like it. As it turns out, these inserts that were sold to me through Lee Valley are not the ones for this saw so they are a little on the tight side. Thanks for tuning in and for the suggestion. I love it.

[@henrysara7716]

Perfect Kenny

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Glad that you liked it. Thanks for tuning in

[@williamcopper4072]

Kenny most of the tables that I had the expansion slot is at right angles to the blade direction, how do you handle this?

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

The expansion slot being at a right angle to the blade does not affect the installation or the preparation of the zero clearance insert. It only affects which way you install your blade onto the saw. I ope this helps William. Thanks for tuning in

[@dougprentice1363]

I have a grizzly cub band saw. I'll have to flout a way to make inserts to fit. They don't sell the blanks, as gar as I know.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

Maybe you could make some shop made ones Doug. Thanks for tuning in to the show.

[@dougprentice1363]

@@acutabove_woodworkings yeah. I just went down and looked at it. The GO803 has a square pocket for insert. It would be easy to make. Although the shelf it sits (clips) on isn't large enough for leveling set screws. The stock plastic insert sits below the table. So I could still make zero clearance insert. It would be better than stock. Maybe use hot melt glue to make it flush. If that makes sense.

[@dougprentice1363]

@@acutabove_woodworkings wow. My auto correct phone is not a help. Lol

[@dougprentice1363]

I forget who shared idea of hot melt glue on bottom of table saw insert... but it works great.

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

@@dougprentice1363 I've never heard of that but I'll keep it in mind. Sounds like it would work just fine.

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

I guess am fortunate my Grizzly 17 BS has a miter slot that eliminates half of the project. I applaud your technique for over coming not having a miter slot. I have made several for my scroll saw too I also made zero cleanse inserts for my miter saw for cleaner and safer cuts!😁🛫

[@acutabove_woodworkings]

The Rikon band saw does have a mitre slot also but I though it would be a good idea to just demonstrate an option of installation if a mitre slot wasn't available. Thanks for tuning in this week and for chiming in with your thoughts.

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

@@acutabove_woodworkings 😁👍🏻🛫